Ybor City: Sunday Food Tour with Cafe Con Leche Tastings

Summary

Sunday strolls in Ybor City with food tastings and Cuban coffee

You’ll wander Ybor City’s colorful streets on this Sunday food tour, sampling fresh-baked Cuban bread, cafe con leche, and local specialties at 4-5 stops. Listen to stories from your guide as you taste your way through historic bakeries and cafes. It’s an easy walk—wheelchair accessible—and every bite feels like part of the city’s story.

What’s the experience like?

We were already halfway down 7th Avenue when the smell of baking bread hit me — not the kind you get at home, but something richer, almost sweet. Our guide, Carmen, waved us over to a tiny bakery where the counter lady handed out warm slices before I could even say “gracias.” I tried to ask about the recipe and she just smiled, shrugged, and pointed at the old oven behind her. That was the first stop of our Ybor City food tour, and honestly, I could’ve stayed right there eating bread all day.

The next hour or so is a blur of laughter and little bites — empanadas that flaked apart in my hands, a glass of something cold and citrusy (I think Carmen called it “materva”?), and this thick cafe con leche that was somehow both comforting and a little jolt to the system. There’s a trick to how they pour it here; Li laughed when I tried to say it in Spanish — probably butchered it. We’d pause every few blocks while Carmen pointed out old brickwork or told stories about cigar rollers from Cuba. The sidewalks are uneven but nobody seemed to mind; there were strollers, wheelchairs, even one guy with a tiny dog in his backpack.

I didn’t expect to feel so connected to a place through its snacks and sips. At one point we ducked into a shop where the walls were covered in faded photos — families crowded around tables, kids grinning with sticky fingers. The air was heavy with coffee and something spicy I couldn’t quite place. It’s strange how quickly you start feeling like you belong somewhere just by sharing food with strangers. By the end of our three-hour walk (which felt more like two), my shoes were dusty and my stomach was full, but mostly I just kept thinking about that first bite of bread.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ybor City Food and History Tour

• Visit historical Ybor City
• Enjoy 4-5 food tastings
• Savor Cafe Con Leche drink
• Learn about city history
• Complete 3-hour walking tour

Top questions

How long does the Ybor City food tour last?

The tour lasts about 3 hours total.

Is the Ybor City food tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

Are infants or small children allowed on the tour?

Yes, infants can ride in strollers or prams; specialized infant seats are available.

Does the tour include drinks like cafe con leche?

Yes, cafe con leche is included as one of the staple drinks during tastings.

How many tasting stops are there on this Ybor City food tour?

The tour includes 4-5 different food tasting stops.

Is public transportation available near the starting point?

Yes, there are public transportation options nearby.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are permitted throughout the experience.

What’s included

Your day includes all food tastings at each stop along the route—think fresh Cuban bread, cafe con leche, local specialties—and an easy walking pace through historic Ybor City streets before wrapping up back where you started.